We replicate prior research into the determinants of English language proficiency among immigrants using a dataset that controls for potential biases stemming from selective emigration, omitted variables, and the mismeasurement of key constructs. In general, we reproduce the results of earlier work, leading us to conclude that despite inherent methodological problems, research based on cross-sectional censuses and surveys yields fundamentally accurate conclusions. In particular, we find unambiguous evidence that English proficiency rises with exposure to U.S. society, and we reaffirm earlier work showing a clear pattern of language assimilation among Mexican migrants to the United States.

[No Keywords available]

Research Methodology educational status South and Central America Americas Literacy--determinants Latin America economics population Communication demography social change Migrants methodology Research Design Population Dynamics interpersonal communication developing country Developing Countries measurement Developed Countries socioeconomic status language Mexico United States North America social status Acculturation Socioeconomic Factors reliability reproducibility socioeconomics Western Hemisphere Reproducibility of Results cultural factor Article migration developed country Demographic Factors research Emigration and Immigration Economic Factors Transients and Migrants social class Northern America immigrants